Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-02-26

The school board have transmitted to Congress
astatement, protesting against the Senate restrfc-
ton that no increase shall be made In the number
or salaries OF teachers now receiving more than
5000, and asking increase of 50 30 for salaries
over the amount provided. This increase and the
removal OF the restriction above mentioned they
consider essential for the organization OF the
schools with the present corps OF competent eff
Gent aud experienced teachers. No one can be-
neve that the District teachers are oyer-paid and
THE STAR hopes that the appropriation for salaries
Will be such that there Will be no necessity to re-
duce the compensation OF any OF them. The mat
tiers OF 'ongevty Increases" and OF sub-assistant5
at low salaries with which the statement largely
deals not Of sufficient comparative importance
20 entitle them to much space in urging upon Con-
greSs the present school needs OF the District 1t
Is stated that the present corps OF teachers
cient TO furnish instruction to every child the
District applying for admission TO the schools Tor
every school hour OF every school day In the year.
but IL appears incidentally that l. 600 of the
children are taught only half a day be-
cause school accommodations are wanting.
The teachers OF 1900 children give In
struction, then, for only One-half of the
time for which they are employed, and this large
number OF pupils suffer the loss OF one-half OF their
school lite. The great and pressing need OF the
District school system Is that OF more school
buildings for the low grades. We trust on the
teachers account that the school board will obtain
the slight increase in the appropriation for salaries
for which they argue deliberately and forcibly,
but the conference committee should not be misled
Into the belief that this is the only or the main
point concerning which the people of the District
are sOlfcitouS. The committee should, above all
things else agree 10 make adequate provision for
school accommodations for the low grades. The
citizens Of Washington are not particularly inter-
ested in discussion as 10 the persons responsible
the decision OF that question is the preface TO
reform, and they not impressed in the least by
a showing that the abeSt teachers which rigid
examinations can secure are on hand to teach the
low grades all day long, II only there were schools
In which TO teach them. They appreciate that
however fine things may be In all other respects
thousands OF pupils are turned from the schools
for half OF each day; that this condition of affairs
is an injury and disgrace to the District and they
demand a change.
Next to the hubbub over the vacant Secretary
ship OF the Treasury and the choice of the commits
sioners under the Interstate commerce law, the
Presidents reported determination not to spend
the last night OF the congressional session at the
Capitol comes in for the largest share of comment
among the politicians. The practice has been
uniform for so many years that Mr.. ClevelandS
proposed innovation excIteS wonder. The argll-
ments for and against it are very evenly balanced
u
the last moment where that is possible, and then
trusting TO logrolling, good nature and pure luck
10 get Its work finished in time Bad legislation
has TO run close race with good, and Is often
allowed TO slip through by stretch OF conscience
on the part OF usually prudent and conservative
members, In the fear that any Interference with it
would impern their own worthy bills and in the
hope that the President viii be able to
detect the more conspicuous abuses and
withhold his signature. This throws AN i'm
menSe and wholly unwarrantable responsibility
upon the Executive, who is often Obliged to
crowd into half dozen hours work OF inyestica-
ton and judgment, which could properly OCCUPY
as many weeks OF his time. The feeling that he is
close at hand and that he can be reached, and
urged If necessary, makes the members who have
bills OF general Importance in charge rather
lenient toward those who are pushing special
schemes, and the right of way is sometimes tenn
porarily given TO matters which least deserve it,
III IL be understood that the President is whole
mile away, Congressman will think twice before
they grant these unmerited privileges
ON the other hand, 4 combined movement on the
part OF the fathers OF special legislation may have
the effect OF blocking some OF higher class, and
the distance OF the President from the scene of
action may prove a disadvantage on the whole
II is hard TO say which arrangement is the more
desirable, all things considered; but it would
probably do no harm for Mr.. Cleveland to make
snS winch ID Ho" tdlhtu vi, anu COM
pare Its results with those Of the custom observed
by his predecessors for so long period
John W. Schwer, OF Cincinnati, who was sand
bagged and robbed OF thirteen hundred dollars
carried In belt around his waist, a watch a gold
ring and diamond stud IS probably one OF those
prudent persons who refuse 10 put their money
In bank because cashiers In these DAYS are so
dishonest. BY occupation Mr.. Schwer was a me-
chanic employed in the repair-shops OF Railway
company, which is presumptiye evidence that his
loss was u severe one for him to stand. Thirteen
hundred dollars would be considered even NV Law
Gould or Cornelius Vanderbilt large sum to carry
about ones person, and Mrs. Hetty Green would
have INDUCED in a cab ride Ii she had been re-
CURED 20 take IL any distance to or from her bank.
ers II is true that, had Mr.. scnwer deposited his
money in bank, the cashier might possibly have
taken II 70 Canada, or the institution might have
gone 70 pieces; but. in either event, the chances
would have been f1lr OF his getting back at leas,
part or the sum. Now he is without recourse
1very dollar Is gone, and he doesn't even know
Who the men are that have robbed him His case
ought 20 be a warning TO other small capitalists
Who are SO cautious that they overreacn them
selves. and come out at the end poorer than their
friends who know less and trust more
The suggestion Is made that IL some of those
who are seeking employment, and falling to get
IL, are asking for aid, would equip themselves with
long poles suitable for the purpose, they could
MAKE good wages by going about the city and Of
fering 10 remove the caterpillar cocoons etc. from
the q